Salome
Richard StraussFEBRUARY 3, 5, 9, 11, 17, 19, AND 24, 2023
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Performance time is approximately one hour and 40 minutes, with no intermission
HOUSE PROGRAM
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A dance—perhaps the most famous one in history—precedes a macabre kiss and an execution in this opera by Richard Strauss. An explosive, modernist score propels the action, redefining musical storytelling.
Directed by Academy Award-nominated Atom Egoyan, this production stars Ensemble Studio graduate Ambur Braid—acclaimed for her recent tour de force performance in the title role at Frankfurt Opera—as Salome, alongside Karita Mattila and Michael Schade.
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAMS
Conductor: Johannes Debus
Assistant Conductor: Derek Bate
Director: Atom Egoyan
Assistant Director: Marilyn Gronsdal
Set Designer: Derek McLane
Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber
Original Lighting Designer: Michael Whitfield
Revival Lighting Designer: Davida Tkach
Projections Designer: Phillip Barker
Choreographer: Serge Bennathan
Revival Choreographer: Julia Aplin
Shadow Designer: Clea Minaker
Intimacy Coordinator: Siobhan Richardson
Stage Manager: Jenifer Kowal
Salome: Ambur Braid
Jochanaan: Michael Kupfer-Radecky
Herod: Michael Schade
Herodias: Karita Mattila
Narraboth: Frédéric Antoun
The Page: Carolyn Sproule
First Jew: Owen McCausland
Second Jew: Michael Colvin
Third Jew: Jacques Arsenault
Fourth Jew: Adam Luther
Fifth Jew: Giles Tomkins
First Nazarene: Robert Pomakov
Second Nazarene: Jorell Williams
First Soldier: Vartan Gabrielian
Second Soldier: Scott Conner
Cappadocian: Alex Halliday
An Attendant: Alex Hetherington
With the COC Orchestra
A Canadian Opera Company production
This production of Salome is underwritten, in part, by HATCH
Johannes Debus is generously sponsored by George & Kathy Dembroski
Sandra Horst and the COC Chorus are generously underwritten by Tim & Frances Price
The COC Orchestra is generously sponsored, in part, by W. Bruce C. Bailey, in honour of Christie Darville, COC Deputy General Director, and Johannes Debus, COC Music Director, and in part by The Schulich Foundation
Ambur Braid is generously sponsored by Jack Whiteside and ROGERS-ai.png)
FULL SYNOPSIS
Salome, princess of Judea, lives in the palace of her mother, Herodias, and stepfather, Herod. Imprisoned in a well beneath the palace is the prophet Jochanaan (John the Baptist). Salome leaves Herod’s dining hall, troubled by the way her stepfather looks at her. Hearing Jochanaan’s voice, she becomes enthralled by it. Salome seductively convinces Narraboth, the captain of the guard who is secretly in love with Salome, to bring Jochanaan up from the cistern. Jochanaan is contemptuous of Herodias and Salome, her obsession growing, praises his beauty, begging him to let her kiss his mouth. Jochanaan ignores Salome’s advances, refusing even to look at her, warning her she is damned. Meanwhile Narraboth, overcome with jealousy, kills himself.
Herod and his entourage appear in search of Salome, and discover Narraboth’s body. Although suffering hallucinations from the burden of his conscience, Herod flirts with Salome, offering her lavish gifts, which she refuses. Herodias reprimands her husband for staring lasciviously at her daughter, and they argue. Jochanaan’s voice is heard from the cistern, proclaiming the coming of the judgement day. A group of Jewish scholars resident in the palace disagree over the rumour that John the Baptist has seen God. Herod and a pair of Nazarenes jump into the argument, and the voice of Jochanaan is heard condemning Herodias. Herodias demands silence and Herod asks Salome to dance. Initially refusing, Salome agrees once Herod has promised that she may name her reward.
When her dance is finished, Salome requests her reward: Jochanaan’s head. Herod is horrified and tries to change Salome’s mind with offers of magnificent gifts, which she refuse. Since Herod has sworn an oath, Jochanaan is beheaded and his head brought to Salome.
Salome sings to the head as if it were alive. She asks Jochanaan why he still refuses to look at her, and chastises him for having cursed her. If only he had looked at her, she is sure he would have loved her. The moon emerges from behind a cloud, illuminating Salome engaged in a passionate kiss with the head of Jochanaan. Herod cries out an order to “kill that woman,” and Salome is put to death.
Salome: A Groundbreaking Thriller
Salome: Meet the Cast
COC NEWS: LOOKING AT SALOME
Enter the fascinating visual world of director Atom Egoyan's unique production! Read on.
COC NEWS: MEET OUR SALOME
Hear directly from the show's star herself, COC Ensemble Studio alum Ambur Braid! Read on.
COC NEWS: ATOM EGOYAN AND PERRYN LEECH DISCUSS SALOME
COC General Director Perryn Leech sat down with director Atom Egoyan to share their excitement for the show! Read on.
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Sung in German with English SURTITLESTM
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAMS
Conductor: Johannes Debus
Assistant Conductor: Derek Bate
Director: Atom Egoyan
Assistant Director: Marilyn Gronsdal
Set Designer: Derek McLane
Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber
Original Lighting Designer: Michael Whitfield
Revival Lighting Designer: Davida Tkach
Projections Designer: Phillip Barker
Choreographer: Serge Bennathan
Revival Choreographer: Julia Aplin
Shadow Designer: Clea Minaker
Intimacy Coordinator: Siobhan Richardson
Stage Manager: Jenifer Kowal
Salome: Ambur Braid
Jochanaan: Michael Kupfer-Radecky
Herod: Michael Schade
Herodias: Karita Mattila
Narraboth: Frédéric Antoun
The Page: Carolyn Sproule
First Jew: Owen McCausland
Second Jew: Michael Colvin
Third Jew: Jacques Arsenault
Fourth Jew: Adam Luther
Fifth Jew: Giles Tomkins
First Nazarene: Robert Pomakov
Second Nazarene: Jorell Williams
First Soldier: Vartan Gabrielian
Second Soldier: Scott Conner
Cappadocian: Alex Halliday
An Attendant: Alex Hetherington
With the COC Orchestra
A Canadian Opera Company production
This production of Salome is underwritten, in part, by HATCH
Johannes Debus is generously sponsored by George & Kathy Dembroski
Sandra Horst and the COC Chorus are generously underwritten by Tim & Frances Price
The COC Orchestra is generously sponsored, in part, by W. Bruce C. Bailey, in honour of Christie Darville, COC Deputy General Director, and Johannes Debus, COC Music Director, and in part by The Schulich Foundation
Ambur Braid is generously sponsored by Jack Whiteside and ROGERS -
FULL SYNOPSIS
Salome, princess of Judea, lives in the palace of her mother, Herodias, and stepfather, Herod. Imprisoned in a well beneath the palace is the prophet Jochanaan (John the Baptist). Salome leaves Herod’s dining hall, troubled by the way her stepfather looks at her. Hearing Jochanaan’s voice, she becomes enthralled by it. Salome seductively convinces Narraboth, the captain of the guard who is secretly in love with Salome, to bring Jochanaan up from the cistern. Jochanaan is contemptuous of Herodias and Salome, her obsession growing, praises his beauty, begging him to let her kiss his mouth. Jochanaan ignores Salome’s advances, refusing even to look at her, warning her she is damned. Meanwhile Narraboth, overcome with jealousy, kills himself.Herod and his entourage appear in search of Salome, and discover Narraboth’s body. Although suffering hallucinations from the burden of his conscience, Herod flirts with Salome, offering her lavish gifts, which she refuses. Herodias reprimands her husband for staring lasciviously at her daughter, and they argue. Jochanaan’s voice is heard from the cistern, proclaiming the coming of the judgement day. A group of Jewish scholars resident in the palace disagree over the rumour that John the Baptist has seen God. Herod and a pair of Nazarenes jump into the argument, and the voice of Jochanaan is heard condemning Herodias. Herodias demands silence and Herod asks Salome to dance. Initially refusing, Salome agrees once Herod has promised that she may name her reward.
When her dance is finished, Salome requests her reward: Jochanaan’s head. Herod is horrified and tries to change Salome’s mind with offers of magnificent gifts, which she refuse. Since Herod has sworn an oath, Jochanaan is beheaded and his head brought to Salome.
Salome sings to the head as if it were alive. She asks Jochanaan why he still refuses to look at her, and chastises him for having cursed her. If only he had looked at her, she is sure he would have loved her. The moon emerges from behind a cloud, illuminating Salome engaged in a passionate kiss with the head of Jochanaan. Herod cries out an order to “kill that woman,” and Salome is put to death.
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Salome: Pre-Performance Chat with Atom Egoyan
Salome: A Groundbreaking Thriller
Salome: Meet the Cast
-
COC NEWS: LOOKING AT SALOME
Enter the fascinating visual world of director Atom Egoyan's unique production! Read on.
COC NEWS: MEET OUR SALOME
Hear directly from the show's star herself, COC Ensemble Studio alum Ambur Braid! Read on.
COC NEWS: ATOM EGOYAN AND PERRYN LEECH DISCUSS SALOME
COC General Director Perryn Leech sat down with director Atom Egoyan to share their excitement for the show! Read on.
2022/2023 season creative: BT/A
